Strasbourg, 17 June 2014 - The Macedonian authorities have taken a number of important steps to prevent and combat trafficking in human beings, but several important challenges remain, according to a report published today by the Council of Europe’s expert group on human trafficking, GRETA.

GRETA’s report highlights as positive features the setting up of anti-trafficking co-ordination structures and specialised units, the adoption and periodic updating of relevant legislation and national strategies, and the introduction of a national referral mechanism. It also underlines the efforts made to improve the prevention of human trafficking through awareness-raising measures, education in schools and training of relevant professionals.

However, the report indicates that further steps are necessary to ensure that all victims of trafficking are properly identified, by strengthening multi-agency involvement and paying more attention to the identification of victims of trafficking among irregular migrants, asylum seekers and unaccompanied foreign minors.

In addition, GRETA calls upon the authorities to strengthen the aspect of prevention through social and economic empowerment measures for groups vulnerable to trafficking and securing the registration of all persons.

GRETA also urges the Macedonian authorities to ensure that all assistance measures provided for in law are guaranteed in practice and that victims of trafficking can effectively obtain compensation, including by setting up a State compensation scheme accessible to victims of trafficking.

The report is the first assessment by GRETA of the extent to which “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” implements the Council of Europe’s Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings.